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Police arrest murder suspect, seeking person of interest

Gresham's Richard Lee Travelstead Jr. was shot dead early Thursday

Police are looking for the public's help finding a person of interest in what they are calling an early morning murder of a Gresham man Thursday, April 19.

Gregory Alan Walker Jr., 25, whose last known address is in Troutdale, might have information that could help detectives investigate the shooting death of Richard Lee Travelstead Jr., 24, of Gresham, said Sgt. Jeff Hansen, a Gresham police spokesman.

Walker is described as a white male, 5-foot-11-inches tall, 145 pounds, with brown eyes and light brown to strawberry colored hair. He may be driving a red 1993 two-door Oldsmobile with an Oregon license plate, 680CVS.

He has been known to possess and carry firearms and should not be approached or confronted. Also, he has a criminal history ranging from assault to drug charges in Gresham, Clackamas County and Oregon City, Hansen said.

Anyone with information about Walker's whereabouts - or about the murder - is encouraged to call 9-1-1, or the Gresham tip line at 503-618-2719 or 1-888-989-3505.

The suspect who police arrested in Everett allegedly shot the victim at 2:17 a.m. in his home, located in a local mobile park called Gresham Mobile Home Community, 515 S.E. Rene Ave.

A friend of the victim's called police to report the shooting. Inside the residence officers found Travelstead's body on the floor, said Sgt. Teddi Anderson, Gresham police spokeswoman.

Members of the East Metro Major Crimes Team, with help from the East Metro Gang Enforcement Team and the newly formed Neighborhood Crimes Response Team, spent the day investigating leads - everything from whether a man treated at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center for a gunshot wound at 2:35 a.m. was involved, to evidence possibly being in a house in the 700 block of Northwest Angeline Avenue south of Division Street.

By 3 p.m., investigators had enough information to get a murder warrant for Evans. Based on the investigation, local detectives contacted those in Everett, Wash., who arrested Evans in a relative's apartment at about 6 p.m.

Sgt. Jeff Hansen of the Gresham Police Department didn't know why Evans was in Everett, but pointed out that the city is north of Gresham and close to Canada.

Evans has a criminal history dating back to his first conviction at age 18, including charges of burglary and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He also was released about two weeks ago from a federal penitentiary after serving a sentence on drug-related charges.

The men knew each other and were more than casual acquaintances, Hansen said. Investigators have theories as to a possible motive, but are not releasing them yet.

When asked if the case was gang related, Hansen said, 'We are looking into that possibility … it is something that we're considering,' adding that it hasn't been ruled out.

The suspect was living in Gresham after his prison sentence, Hansen said.

Investigators with the East Metro Gang Enforcement Team are still interviewing the suspect.

'This is nowhere near done in terms of the investigation,' Hansen said.